Coles will remove single-use plastic fresh produce bags in its ACT supermarkets from next month in a trial hoping to encourage customers to bring their own bags. Single-use plastic bags will continue to be used in delis and online orders.
Single-use plastic fresh produce bags, also known as barrier bags, will be removed from all 12 stores across the ACT from 14 September.
From 31 August until 13 September, ACT customers who spend $5 in store on fruit and veggies will receive a free 3-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags – made with 90 per cent recycled materials – in preparation for single-use plastic bags being removed from stores.
During the trial, customers will be encouraged to bring reusable bags to help them complete their shop, or reusable mesh fresh produce bags will be available for customers to buy in store.
Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells said the initiative is expected to reduce about 11 tonnes of plastic each year.
“As part of our Together to Zero waste ambition, this will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial a completely reusable method of helping customers purchase their fresh fruit and veggies.
“We will be looking closely at how our ACT customers respond. These insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to our customers nationally,” said Swindells.
In a further effort to reduce plastic in stores, Coles recently rolled out fresh produce bags made with 50 per cent recycled plastic across the country. The bags can be returned to REDcycle bins at any Coles supermarket to be recycled.
The move follows Coles’ recent introduction of the Marine Reuable Shopping Bags made with 80 per cent recycled plastic, including 20 per cent marine waste collected from coastlines, beaches and waterways.
Coles is also working towards its ambition to become Australia’s most sustainable supermarket by reducing unnecessary plastics in Own Brand products.
Earlier this year, Coles removed plastic scoops from Coles Tropical Paradise and Coles Ultra Original and Sensitive laundry powders, saving three tonnes of plastic in a single year.
